Df. Wu et Ai. Cederbaum, Removal of glutathione produces apoptosis and necrosis in HepG2 cells overexpressing CYP2E1, ALC CLIN EX, 25(4), 2001, pp. 619-628
Background: Previous studies have shown that addition of ethanol, iron, or
arachidonic acid to HepG2 cells expressing CYP2E1 produced a loss in cell v
iability and caused apoptosis. These effects were enhanced when cellular re
duced glutathione (GSH) levels were lowered by treatment with buthionine su
lfoximine (BSO). Overexpression of CYP2E1 in HepG2 cells could produce toxi
city even in the absence of added toxin after BSO treatment. Studies were c
arried out to characterize this CYP2E1-and BSO-dependent toxicity.
Methods: HepG2 cells expressing CYP2E1 were treated with BSO for 1 to 4 day
s, and various parameters associated with apoptosis and cell viability were
assayed.
Results: Treatment of cells expressing CYP2E1 (E47 cells) with BSO resulted
in apoptosis as wen as necrosis. The apoptosis and necrosis were independe
nt of each other. No toxicity was found with control HepG2 cells or HepG2 c
ells expressing CYP3A4 instead of CYP2E1 under these conditions. The antiox
idant trolox partially prevented the apoptosis and necrosis, whereas dially
lsulfide, a CYP2E1 inhibitor, was fully protective. The activity of caspase
3, but not caspases 1, 8, or 9, was increased in the BSO-treated E47 cells
, and an inhibitor of caspase 3 prevented apoptosis. Damage to mitochondria
appears to play a role in the CYP2E1- and BSO-dependent toxicity, because
mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased and cyclosporin A, an inhibi
tor of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition, prevented the ap
optosis and the necrosis. The fall in membrane potential was prevented by t
rolox and diallylsulfide, suggesting damage to the mitochondria by CYP2E1-d
erived reactive oxygen species.
Conclusions: These results indicate the critical role of GSH in protecting
against CYP2E1-mediated oxidative stress and that mitochondria may be a tar
get for CYP2E1-derived reactive oxygen species, and suggest that interactio
ns between CYP2E1, mitochondria, and altered GSH homeostasis may play a rol
e in alcohol-induced liver injury.